Virtual Reality Headset Statistics By Per Unit Sales, Geography, Shipments and Usages

Joseph D'Souza
Written by
Joseph D'Souza

Updated · Jan 02, 2025

Rohan Jambhale
Edited by
Rohan Jambhale

Editor

Virtual Reality Headset Statistics By Per Unit Sales, Geography, Shipments and Usages

Introduction

VR Headset Statistics: The use of virtual reality (VR) technology is rapidly increasing worldwide. The demand for VR comes from growing industries such as entertainment, education, medicine, gaming, retail, and live events. VR headsets help create a fully simulated virtual environment and enhance interactive and engaging user experiences, particularly in the gaming and entertainment industries.

For a more detailed analysis of the VR headset market, you can refer to the VR Headset Statistics, which provides impactful insights to help you understand different segments of VR headsets worldwide.

Editor’s Choice

  • The Global Virtual Reality (VR) Headset Market is projected to surpass USD 121.9 billion by 2032, growing from USD 13 billion in 2023, with a strong CAGR of 29.1%.
  • In the United States, 13% of households use at least one VR headset.
  • By 2024, 34 million people worldwide will be using VR headsets.
  • In 2026, global sales of AR/VR headsets are projected to reach 73.6 million units.
  • As of 2023, 88% of VR headset users engage with the device multiple times each month.
  • Sony Corporation aimed to sell more than 2 million units of the second edition of the PlayStation VR headset by March 2023.
  • 73% of VR headset users use the device while playing video games.
  • In the United States, 74% of VR headset owners are male.
  • According to Zipdo, 84% of VR headset users primarily use them for gaming.
  • By the end of 2024, the global installed base of VR headsets will exceed 100 million units.
  • By 2028, VR headset revenue is expected to reach USD 43.9  billion.
  • The VR headset market volume is expected to grow by 11.5% from 2023 to 2028.
  • The sales volume of VR headsets is projected to increase by 2.14% in 2028.
  • In 2024, annual VR headset sales are expected to exceed 11.2 million units worldwide.
  • VR headset shipments in 2023 reached 9.59 million units, with a year-over-year growth of 43%.
  • Global revenue from VR headset sales in 2023 was USD 9.1 billion, showing a 13% increase from the previous year.
  • In 2023, Chinese businesses spent over USD 2.8 billion on the VR headset industry, leading the global market.

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Facts About VR Headsets

  • In 2023, over the market, Oculus VR headsets will be termed the most popular extended reality headsets.
  • Multiple sectors, such as manufacturing, healthcare, workforce development, education, etc., are now adopting VR technology.
  • The top brand of this VR headset is Meta Quest.
  • China earned the world’s largest VR market share in 2023, with a share above 30%.
  • Around the world, shipments of AR and VR headsets will decline by 8.3% in 2023, resulting in 8.1 million units.
  • The driving factors of this market are technological advancements, integration with 5G, and cloud services.
  • A report published by the IMARC group states that the global VR headset market valuation will have reached $64.5 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 20.3% from 2024 to 2032.
  • According to robust virtual reality statistics, by the end of 2030, around 23 million jobs will be enhanced by both AR/VR technologies.

General VR Headsets Statistics

Statista Report Summary

  • Virtual Reality (VR) Growth: The VR market is rapidly expanding, expected to grow from under $12 billion in 2022 to over $22 billion by 2025.
  • VR Experience: VR creates a simulated experience that can include sights, sounds, and sometimes even smells or tastes, mimicking or differing from reality.
  • VR Headsets: VR headsets are essential for creating immersive experiences by blocking out the real world. Major providers include Pico, Sony, and Meta.
  • Meta’s New VR Headset: Meta announced the Meta Quest 3, a new generation VR and mixed reality headset, in June 2023.
  • Apple’s Entry into VR: Apple introduced its first product in the VR space, the Apple Vision Pro, in June 2023. It allows users to switch between augmented reality (AR) and VR.
  • Apple Vision Pro Pricing: The Apple Vision Pro is priced at $3,499, much higher than Meta’s headsets, which are priced between $499 and $999.
  • Future of VR: The adoption of VR is expected to increase as devices become more compact and stylish.
  • VR in Industries: Sectors like healthcare, workforce development, and manufacturing will see significant benefits from VR technology.

IDC Report Summary

  • AR/VR Market Decline in 2023: The AR/VR headset market is expected to see an 8.3% decline in 2023, with total shipments dropping to 8.1 million units.
  • Growth Expected in 2024: A strong recovery is expected in 2024, with a forecasted growth of 46.4% in AR/VR headset shipments.
  • Meta vs. Apple: Meta’s Quest 3 and Apple’s Vision Pro are key players in the market. While Meta leads with a significant market share, Apple’s Vision Pro is likely to attract attention despite its limited production.
  • Rising Prices: New VR headsets may deter some buyers due to increasing prices, making them more accessible to wealthier consumers.
  • AR Headsets Growth: AR headset shipments are expected to grow by 85.6% in 2024, driven by lower-cost and more advanced models.
  • Diverse AR Products: The AR market will see diversification, with products ranging from simple display headsets to advanced immersive devices, catering to both enterprise and consumer needs.
Worldwide AR/VR Headset Forecast by Product Category: Shipments, Year-Over-Year Growth, and 2023-2027 CAGR (shipments in millions)

Product Category

2023 Shipments 2023/2022 Growth 2027 Shipments 2027/2026 Growth 2023-2027 CAGR
Augmented Reality 0.5 63.5% 6.8 85.5%

96.5%

Virtual Reality

7.6 -10.7% 21.9 26.7% 30.1%
Total 8.1 -8.3% 28.6 37.0%

37.2%

Source: IDC Worldwide AR/VR Headset Tracker, December 18, 2023

VR Headset Statistics by Per Unit Sales

6 years analysis from 2019 – 2024:

virtual-reality-vr-headset-unit-sales-worldwide-from-2019-to-2024

(Reference: statista.com)

  • In 2023, annual VR headset sales totaled 11.2 million units; the cumulative installed base accounted for 25.82 million units.
  • By the end of 2024, the annual unit sales and cumulative installed base are expected to be 14.31 million and 34.03 million, respectively.

VR Headset Statistics by Geography

  • In 2023, Chinese businesses spent over $2.8 billion on VR headset industries and are dominating nations worldwide.
  • The United States achieved the 2nd most significant market share, $1 billion.
  • Furthermore, revenue earned by other countries’ market shares is followed by Japan ($610.9 billion), the United Kingdom ($399.7 billion), and France ($385 billion).
  • In the United States, revenue generated by the VR Headset segment was forecasted to decrease from 2023 to 2028 by $0.3 billion.
  • By the end of 2028, revenue is estimated to be $1.85 billion in the U.S.
  • In Europe, the market revenue will increase between 2023 and 2028, resulting in 0.9 billion euros at 52.33%, and it is expected to reach around 2.65 billion euros by the end of 2028.
  • Revenue generated by the VR headset segment is continuously increasing and will be $0.9 billion from 2023 to 2028, resulting in 19.91%, and by 2028, it is estimated to reach a peak, resulting in $5.37 billion.

(Source: technavio.com)

  • The North American region will contribute the highest growth in the VR headset market, with around 34% from 2023 to 2028.
  • In the next five years, the Asia-Pacific AR/VR headset market is expected to grow by 51% share.

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VR Headset Statistics by Segments

  • As of June 2023, the most popular device across the VR headset market is Meta Quest 3, which costs $499.
  • On the other hand, the cost of Meta Quest Pro was around 999 US dollars.
  • Based on weight, the Meta Quest 3 device featured a weight of 503 grams, and the Valve Index weighed 809 grams.
  • Based on the end-device segment, from 2023 to 2030, the low-end segment is expected to gain the highest CAGR of 35.3%.
  • Meanwhile, the smartphone–enabled product type segment will reach a CAGR of 33.1% in the forecasted year.
  • Based on the application segment, the education segment is anticipated to register at a CAGR of 33.6%.
  • By the end of 2030, the highest CAGR was accounted for by the Asia Pacific region with over 32.9%.

VR Headset Statistics by Market Leaders

(Source: learn.g2.com)

  • Meta dominates VR headset’s market share with 90% in 2023.
  • Meanwhile, ByteDance’s Pico holds a market share of 4.5%, and others save 5.5%.
  • As of 2023, Meta has sold over 10 million Oculus Quest VR headset units.

AR/VR Headset Companies Statistics

historical-arvr-market-share

(Reference: cdn.idc.com)

  • In the 1st quarter of 2023, the top AR/VR headset Company worldwide is Meta, with a share of 47.8% and 50.2% share in the 2nd quarter of 2023.
  • Other companies share in the 1st and 2nd quarter of 2023 are followed by Sony (35.9% and 27.1%), ByteDance (6.1% and 9.6%), DPVR (1.7% and 2.2%), Xreal (1.3% and 2.5%), HTC (1.4% and 2.0%), and others (5.7% and 6.4%) respectively.

AR / VR Headset Statistics by Shipments

  • Around the world, shipments of AR and VR headsets will decline by 8.3% in 2023, resulting in 8.1 million units.
  • A report published by International Data Corporation (IDC) states that shipments of AR/VR headsets are expected to grow by 46.4%.
  • By the end of the 3rd quarter of 2023, Meta’s shipment recorded the highest market share, resulting in 55.2%.
  • VR headset market shipment as of December 2023 is expected to be 7.6 million and 21.9 million by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 30.1%.

5 Years Analysis of Shipment From 2021 to 2025:

ar-vr-headsets-shipments-worldwide

(Reference: headphonesaddict.com)

  • In 2023, worldwide shipments of VR headsets accounted for around 18 million.
  • On the other hand, by 2023 and 2024, total VR shipments will be followed by 23 million and 29 million, respectively.

VR Headset Market Size Forecast

  • The global Virtual Reality (VR) Headset market is projected to grow significantly, reaching a valuation of USD 121.9 billion by 2032, up from USD 13 billion in 2023. This reflects a strong annual growth rate of 29.1%.
  • Standalone VR headsets, which operate independently without needing external devices, lead the market, holding 43.6% of the revenue. Their ease of use makes them popular among a wide range of consumers.

  • High-end VR headsets dominate the market, accounting for 56.4% of revenue. These devices offer superior experiences due to advanced technology, making them popular with enthusiasts and professionals.
  • The gaming industry is the largest user of VR headsets, representing 29.4% of the market. VR enhances gaming by providing realistic environments and interactive features. The education sector is also growing rapidly, with VR being increasingly used for interactive learning.
  • North America leads the VR headset market, capturing 42.3% of the revenue. The region’s strong technology infrastructure and presence of major tech companies drive innovation. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow the fastest, supported by the rollout of 5G technology and favorable government policies.
  • Major companies in the VR headset market include Google, Microsoft, HTC, HP, Sony, Meta, Samsung, Xiaomi, Lenovo, and LG. These companies are working to reduce the cost of VR headsets and make them more accessible, driving further market growth.

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XR (AR and VR Headsets) Market Share Q1 2024

Global XR (AR & VR Headsets) Market Share:

  • In the first quarter of 2024, global VR headset shipments dropped by 29% compared to the same period last year and by 51% compared to the previous quarter. The drop was partly due to fewer sales after Black Friday in North America and the end of the 11.11 Singles’ Day sales in China.
  • Even with Apple launching the Vision Pro, the global VR headset market stayed weak in the first quarter of 2024. Meta’s sales went down, and both Sony and Pico struggled with clearing out old inventory. The enterprise VR market was more stable than the consumer market.
  • Global shipments of AR smart glasses grew by 40% compared to the same time last year in the first quarter of 2024. However, shipments dropped by 45% compared to the previous quarter, mainly because the big sales events like Black Friday in North America and 11.11 Singles’ Day in China had ended.
  • A key development in the first quarter of 2024 was the rise of VITURE to the third place in the AR smart glasses market, thanks to the launch of its One series in China.

VR Headsets Volume Analysis

-the-sales-volume-growth-of-vr-headsets-from-2022-to-2027

(Reference: vpnalert.com)

  • As of 2023 and 2024, VR headsets’ sales volume growth rates are followed by 13.7% and 8.5%, respectively.
  • Furthermore, in coming years, VR headsets volume growth shares are followed by 2025 (5.5%), 2026 (6.5%), and 2027 (0.6%).

VR Headset Statistics by Consumers

  • According to VR headset statistics, in the case of choosing a VR headset, consumers’ preference statistics are followed by good image resolution (52%), comfortable headsets and controllers (44%), and high-quality audio (39%).

Stream Users With VR Headsets(Source: vpnalert.com)

  • As of March 2023, around 42.05% of Oculus Quest 2(steam users) used VR headsets.
  • Other shares of Steam users with various VR headsets are followed by Valve Index HMD (13.16%), Oculus Rift (9.59%), HTC Vive (5.67%), Windows Mixed Reality (3.82%), and others (25.36%).

VR Headset Statistics by Usage

Virtual Reality Usage Among US Users(Source: vpnalert.com)

  • As of the above image analysis, daily usage of VR headsets is 32% in 2023.
  • Other usage shares are followed by weekly (31%), monthly (20%), fewer times per year (11%), and once-ever (6%).

(Source: learn.g2.com)

  • As of 2023, monthly, 88% of VR headset users have used it many times, and every week, 60% of users are using it multiple times.
  • Out of 10 users, 7 VR headsets use this device to play games.
  • Almost 13% of VR headset users used it for over 1 hour.
  • Around 22% of VR headset owners have used VR devices to create music, art, and videos, and 35% of people use VR headsets for exercise and workout purposes.

VR Headset and Controller Statistics by Spending

how-much-are-people-willing-to-spend-on-vr-gear

(Reference: headphonesaddict.com)

  • 39% of people in 2023 have spent above $700 on VR headsets and controllers.
  • Other percentages of people’s spending amount are 35% (above $300), 12% (0), 11% ($700 to $1000), and 3% (above $1000).

Reasons for Using VR headsets

  • A study published by XRtoday states that in recent days, most companies have been using virtual reality headsets for different purposes.
  • VR technologies have improved performance rates by 40% and unlocked several work-related benefits.
  • Virtual reality headsets have improved employee experiences by enabling more doors for immersive collaboration sessions and overcoming challenges and other issues.
  • In product development, VR headsets also helped save money and time.
  • It also enabled the improvement of employee training programs and reduced workplace injuries by 43%.
  • The customer experience has been improved due to virtual reality headsets.

Conclusion

The outlook of the VR headset market is optimistic, with enormous growth, and it is expected to reach higher in the coming years. This industry has revolutionized many industries, allowing users to interact with simulated environments and enabling first-person view experiences.

This article includes several detailed segmental analyses of the VR headset market, such as market share, market leaders, sales rate, shipments, geography, usage, companies, reasons, etc. This paper will help you understand the market for VR headsets in recent years.

Joseph D'Souza
Joseph D'Souza

Joseph D'Souza started Coolest Gadgets in 2005 to share his love for tech gadgets. It has since become a popular tech blog, famous for detailed gadget's reviews and companies statistics. Joseph is committed to providing clear, well-researched content, making tech easy to understand for everyone. Coolest Gadgets is a trusted source for tech news, loved by both tech fans and beginners.

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